NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is in Washington for talks with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as well as members of Congress

President Donald Trump revealed Monday that his effort to bring Russia to the table for meaningful peace talks to end the Ukraine war was a hard sell for one of the most important people in his orbit -- first lady Melania Trump.

WASHINGTON — Ever since his political rise a decade ago, Donald Trump has sung the praises of Vladimir Putin — the Russian president was a “strong leader” who, perhaps more important, would often say “very good things” about him.

President Trump discussed how he came to give up on negotiating with Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday, as the U.S. agrees to sell new and more weapons to Europe and Ukraine.

President Donald Trump issues Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline to end Ukraine war or face 100% tariffs, prompting skepticism from the EU's chief diplomat and Kyiv's mayor over 50-day timeframe.

The president also warned Russia that he would impose a new round of punishing sanctions if it did not agree to a peace deal within 50 days.

President Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, "really surprised a lot of people" with his unwillingness to negotiate. As a result, the U.S. will be sending more weapons to Europe and Ukraine and "they're going to pay us 100% for them.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discusses President Donald Trump's decision to sell weapons to NATO for Ukraine in an interview on 'Special Report.'

President Donald Trump confirmed that the US will send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine amid rising Russian aggression. He stated the European Union will cover the full cost, as Kyiv prepares for renewed military-level talks with the US.

President Trump is hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday as the U.S. agrees to sell new and more weapons to Europe and Ukraine.